Steve Bauer for Kitsap County

Dear Friends,

As I write this, Election Day is just a week away. It is hard to believe that we actually began this campaign in August 2007. What an experience this has been for Ann and me! We have been astounded at the support of literally hundreds of people we hadn’t met before – and many that we still haven’t met – who came forward to support the campaign.

My original motivation in seeking this position was to help the County with its financial problems, to help retain the high quality of life in Kitsap County in the face of future growth and to help preserve Puget Sound.

Sixteen months later, it is clear that the challenges facing the County, our country and each one of us is even greater than we could have imagined in 2007. The County has to deal with the effects of the recession, property tax limits and potential incorporation of Silverdale. The Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority is in crisis. These are critical issues that require someone with experience to solve.

This economic downturn has highlighted the need for us to expand our economy and create a baccalaureate degree program here in Kitsap County to feed that economy. The Puget Sound Partnership will issue its first plan in December I sit on advisory panels for both the baccalaureate program and the Puget Sound Partnership..

I am grateful to have had the chance to work with an extremely dedicated group of County elected officials and County employees. They are simply the best! I am grateful to the more than 500 organizations and individuals who have endorsed, contributed to and worked on the campaign. This has been a powerful reminder that an elected official is just the tip of a pyramid; that nothing happens without people working together to make things better. We all face enormous and powerful challenges in the years ahead. My horizons and commitment to Kitsap County have grown over the past sixteen months. I look forward to continuing to work to make our home better and to leave a legacy for the future. Ann and I appreciate your support more than we can say.

Sincerely,

Steve Bauer

Kitsap Sun: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: LaCelle Statements Are Not True

(Sunday, October 26, 2008)

Two statements made by Sandra LaCelle in the Voters Pamphlet are not true and it is important for voters to know the facts.

Sandra says I voted myself a pay increase in 2007 while cutting union health benefits to balance the budget. Neither statement is true. Here are the actual facts.

The unions and the County bargained a redesign of health benefits resulting in a zero-percent increase in health care costs for 2008. Our unions deserve great credit for doing this as a way to maintain services to the public and preserve jobs in the County. The Board simply cannot impose cuts like this on the unions without their agreement.

I did not vote myself a pay increase in 2007. By law, commissioners cannot vote to increase or decrease their compensation during their term of office. Instead, I received a 2 percent increase for 2008 that was well below the cost-of-living increases granted to employees and other elected officials in the County. This 2 percent increase was set out in a schedule that was decided in 2004, prior to the beginning of this term of office.

The County is facing very serious challenges in years ahead. Voters are entitled to the truth as they decide on which candidate to support.

Steve Bauer

Kitsap County Commissioner

District 1

HANSVILLE



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